Category Archives: Clive Stafford Smith

Clive Stafford Smith has played a pivotal role in Willie Manning’s cases, first as Willie’s post-conviction lawyer, and later as publicist for some of the injustices inflicted on him. Last month Stafford Smith joined other death penalty experts in condemning capital … Continue reading →

As so many times before, Willie Jerome Manning is waiting. He is waiting to find out whether the State approves the items that he wants to have tested for DNA and fingerprints, to provide evidence for his case of the … Continue reading →

Today it is exactly two months since the scheduled execution date for Willie Jerome Manning. Then, the very real possibility of Willie losing his life focused our attention and spurred us on to read articles and sign petitions. The FBI … Continue reading →

Willie Manning’s second conviction (the 1993 murder of two elderly African American ladies, Emmoline Jimmerson and Alberta Jordan) has been very much overshadowed by his recent narrow escape from execution for his first conviction (the 1992 murder of two white … Continue reading →

For Willie Manning time must be passing slowly: every day has come and gone without a new Order from the Mississippi Supreme Court. He knows only too well that the stay of execution that he has been granted is precarious. … Continue reading →

As he has done before, Willie Manning is awaiting the court’s decision about whether to allow DNA testing. He must be aware that his life still hangs in the balance; but he probably knows also that his story has now … Continue reading →

Through his attorney, Willie extends his thanks to everyone who has supported him. Death Row is a lonely and challenging place, where messages of support can mean the difference between keeping going and giving up. It has helped Willie enormously … Continue reading →

The Mississippi State Court has today found that “the Motion to Stay Execution should be granted until further Order of this Court”. While his supporters around the world are celebrating, Willie will go back to his regular cell and regular routine. … Continue reading →

Judges in Willie Manning’s case engineered their DNA test refusal by considering only damning prosecution evidence, departing from practice in other cases. Prosecution evidence is by its nature unlikely to be anything other than damning: in any legal case an … Continue reading →

The Mississippi Innocence Project, together with Willie’s brother, has filed a lawsuit to prevent the destruction of the biological evidence and allow DNA and other testing, and ‘determine once and for all who is responsible for this crime’. By reviewing … Continue reading →